Most people who have HSV do not have any symptoms, or do not recognise the symptoms because they are so mild. Therefore many people who have HSV do not know that they have it.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Herpes, which you can get anything from a week to a few years after getting the virus, can be:

• feeling achy and hot, as if you have a cold or the flu
• small blisters or sores, often around the penis or vagina, which can be painful and can make it hurt when passing urine.

If someone has Herpes they can get symptoms or outbreaks a number of times. Usually people feel most unwell during the first outbreak.

Many people only ever have one outbreak: after that their bodies stop future outbreaks happening.

How it is transmitted

HSV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, so sex, particularly penetrative vaginal and anal sex, is the main way that it is passed on. It can also be transmitted through other forms of sex.

What can I do if I think I have Genital Herpes?

If you think you have HSV you can go to a NHS sexual health clinic. You can read more about clinics and find your nearest one elsewhere on this website. You can also visit one of our Fastest clinics or your local or family doctor (GP).

By law sexual health clinics cannot tell anyone about your visit. However, these rules do not apply to your GP who can tell other people that you have had an appointment with them.

Testing

The doctor or nurse will test you for HSV by taking a small sample with cotton wool or a swab. They can only test for HSV when there is a sore present to swab. Having a swab taken is not painful.

The samples are then tested for HSV.

Treatment

There is no treatment that will get rid of HSV from your body. If you have a particularly severe outbreak of Herpes you may be given tablets which can help it to clear up quicker. However, rest and looking after yourself is probably the best way to help yourself get better.

Some people find that they get outbreaks when they:

• are tired or stressed
• have not been eating well
• have been drinking a lot or not taking as much care of themselves as usual.

Many people who have Herpes feel they can lessen the chances of getting an outbreak by avoiding or reducing the things that may bring it on.

Protect yourself and others

If you have HSV it is best to tell your boyfriend or girlfriend or anyone else you have had sex with recently so that they can get a checkup.

Using a condom can help protect against getting HSV. Remember too that using a condom will help protect you against getting or passing on other sexually transmitted infections.